Fresh and Festive: Seasonal Ingredients For Your Holiday Menu

Celebrate in Style with These Unforgettable Flavors.

As the holiday season approaches, there is no better time to elevate your menus by reimagining traditional winter flavors. Whether you are looking to upgrade your event’s prix fixe menu or transform classic dishes with innovative ingredients, Fresh Origins® is here to help with a curated selection of our holiday best.

Part 1: Ready to upgrade your holiday menu with fresh flavors?

Discover new ways to embrace seasonal flavors like citrus, ginger, fennel, and more with our wide selection of specialty ingredients, ranging from microgreens to herb crystals. Here are some ways to add fresh flavor to your festive menu:

Micro Tangerine Lace™

Micro Tangerine Lace™ serves as a vibrant and zesty complement to the hearty winter dishes that are so synonymous with the holiday season. With a crisp and tender texture, Micro Tangerine Lace™ offers a bright citrus and green herb flavor with distinct notes of tangerine and orange. Find more information about Micro Tangerine Lace™ here.

Holiday Tom Yum: Shrimp, Salmon, Crab, Mushrooms, and Micro Tangerine Lace™
Chef Ryley Eckersley

Holiday Menu Recommendation:

Perfect for both savory and sweet applications, add Micro Tangerine Lace™ to a roast pork tenderloin served with cranberry and orange relish or top a citrus sorbet with prosecco and the dazzling pop of fresh citrus and herb flavor.

Mini Herb Crystals® Ginger

Transform your favorite holiday dishes with the sweet and spicy addition of Mini Herb Crystals® Ginger. The combination of texture, flavor, and visual appeal of these items adds to the overall sensory experience of a variety of dishes and drinks. Find more information about Mini Herb Crystals® Ginger here.

Holiday Menu Recommendation:

Considering adding a decadent chocolate dessert to your seasonal menu? The simple incorporation of Mini Herb Crystals® Ginger adds complexity and depth to rich chocolate creations, such as truffles, making them perfect for seasonal indulgence.

Micro Fennel

Micro Fennel features handsome, feathery thin leaves and is bursting with the distinct anise flavor that’s characteristic of fennel. Their delicate appearance and strong flavor make them a unique addition to pasta dishes, soups and seafood. Find more information about Micro Fennel here.

Holiday Menu Recommendation:

Perfect for floating atop soups or incorporating in comforting pasta dishes, consider adding Micro Fennel to a mushroom and fennel risotto, allowing the fresh inclusion of Micro Fennel to balance the earthy umami of the mushrooms and creamy mouthfeel of the risotto.

Popcorn Shoots

Indulge in the incredibly sweet and juicy flavor of Popcorn Shoots. Showcasing bright yellow thin leaves complemented by light pink and white stems, these unique shoots add a pop of color and contrast to any dish, elevating your holiday menu to a whole new level. Find more information about Popcorn Shoots here.

Holiday Menu Recommendation:

Popcorn Shoots are perfect for adding a touch of dimension to fancy entrée. Use these shoots in more ways than one by blending them into a silky corn puree, topped with tender seared scallops plus additional Popcorn Shoots to adorn the dish for added texture and visual appeal.

Part 2: Looking to add a pop of winter whimsy to your holiday menu?

From the vibrant hues of Endive Violet Flash™ to the spicy kick of Petite® Mustard Red Frill, explore our hand selected seasonal ingredients sure to elevate and modernize your upcoming holiday spread.

Endive Violet Flash™

With its succulent and juicy texture, Endive Violet Flash™ is best enjoyed fresh and cold, incorporated into unheated dishes to ensure the retention of its striking color and delightful crispiness. This radiant leaf has a mild yet slightly bitter taste that shines when paired with creamy cheeses or fresh fruit. Find more information about Endive Violet Flash™ here.

Holiday Menu Recommendation:

To serve alongside a hearty lineup of stews and braised meats on your holiday menu, embrace the flavors of the season with an endive and pear salad showcasing Fresh Origins® Endive Violet Flash™. The familiar combination of crisp endive leaves, sliced pears, crumbled blue cheese, toasted walnuts, and a balsamic glaze can be transformed instantly with the vibrant addition of these striking violet leaves.

Petite® Mustard Red Frill

Petite® Mustard Red Frill flaunts uniquely shaped frilly green leaves with beautiful reddish hues and dark purple veining. They lend a strong, spicy mustard flavor to savory dishes, pairing particularly well with roasted meats, grilled fish and rich, complex sauces. Find more information about Petite® Mustard Red Frill here.

Holiday Menu Recommendation:

For a spicy kick on your holiday menu, imagine a grilled sea bass served with a creamy mustard and leek fondue. To embrace the bold flavor of Petite® Mustard Red Frill, blanch and mix the greens into a rich leek fondue to provide a mild bitterness that complements the delicate fish.

Begonia Hearts Mix™

Begonia Hearts Mix™ features a mix of pink and red begonias picked for their uncanny heart shape. These begonia flowers bring whimsy and fun to holiday dishes or cocktails and are pleasantly tart, juicy, and succulent. Find more information about Begonia Hearts Mix™ here.

Holiday Menu Recommendation:

A visual stunner, Begonia Hearts Mix™ adds the ultimate pop of color to many holiday desserts, ranging from classic crème brûlées to molten lava cakes. Try a creamy vanilla bean panna cotta, topped with spiced poached figs and brightly tart Begonia Hearts Mix™ to encapsulate the spirit of the season.